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Illuminating math and science. Supported by @SimonsFdn. 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Reporting.

Shorts

In 2001, detectors in the Super-Kamiokande neutrino observatory experienced a catastrophic chain-reaction implosion. It was later repaired and in 2006, refilled with ultra-pure water, seen here.

In 2001, detectors in the Super-Kamiokande neutrino observatory experienced a catastrophic chain-reaction implosion. It was later repaired and in 2006, refilled with ultra-pure water, seen here.

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In quantum physics, even nothingness can be infinite.

In quantum physics, even nothingness can be infinite.

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In computer simulations, as an object slides along the surface of ice, a structureless, "amorphous" layer forms. Materials scientists at Saarland University in Germany argue that this process may be the cause of ice’s slipperiness.

In computer simulations, as an object slides along the surface of ice, a structureless, "amorphous" layer forms. Materials scientists at Saarland University in Germany argue that this process may be the cause of ice’s slipperiness.

335,485 просмотров

Scientists are decoding the secrets of how water freezes.

Scientists are decoding the secrets of how water freezes.

63,235 просмотров

If you sandwich a ball between two parallel planes, it will roll perfectly. But surprisingly, smaller, pointier shapes can do this too.

If you sandwich a ball between two parallel planes, it will roll perfectly. But surprisingly, smaller, pointier shapes can do this too.

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🧊Scientists generally agree that a thin watery layer on the surface of ice is responsible for ice’s slipperiness. But why does this layer form? Is it due to pressure, friction, pre-melting, or something else? Daniel Bonn built a microscopic ice-skating rink to test out his theory.

🧊Scientists generally agree that a thin watery layer on the surface of ice is responsible for ice’s slipperiness. But why does this layer form? Is it due to pressure, friction, pre-melting, or something else? Daniel Bonn built a microscopic ice-skating rink to test out his theory.

169,269 просмотров

$Observe this mouse blastocyst's transformation. At first, it seems as though the cell is almost self-destructing. But these fracturing mechanisms are actually constructive, creating a cavernous space for a mouse fetus to grow in.$

Observe this mouse blastocyst's transformation. At first, it seems as though the cell is almost self-destructing. But these fracturing mechanisms are actually constructive, creating a cavernous space for a mouse fetus to grow in.

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Dijkstra’s algorithm doesn’t just tell you the fastest route to one destination. Instead, it gives you an ordered list of travel times from your current location to every other point that you might want to visit — a solution to what researchers call the single-source shortest-paths problem.

Dijkstra’s algorithm doesn’t just tell you the fastest route to one destination. Instead, it gives you an ordered list of travel times from your current location to every other point that you might want to visit — a solution to what researchers call the single-source shortest-paths problem.

274,810 просмотров

Every time you shuffle a deck of cards, you produce a configuration that has almost certainly never existed before, and never will again. But how do you know when you’ve shuffled enough times to mix up the deck?

Every time you shuffle a deck of cards, you produce a configuration that has almost certainly never existed before, and never will again. But how do you know when you’ve shuffled enough times to mix up the deck?

36,745 просмотров

In 1874, Georg Cantor published one of the most important papers in math’s 4,000-year history. The ideas in it were stolen. 🧵

In 1874, Georg Cantor published one of the most important papers in math’s 4,000-year history. The ideas in it were stolen. 🧵

74,302 просмотров

A trio of mathematicians built the first physical model of a “monostable” tetrahedron, a shape that will always flip-flop onto the same face no matter what side you place it on. In order for it to work properly, it had to be engineered to a level of precision within one-tenth of a gram and one-tenth of a millimeter. (From the archive)

A trio of mathematicians built the first physical model of a “monostable” tetrahedron, a shape that will always flip-flop onto the same face no matter what side you place it on. In order for it to work properly, it had to be engineered to a level of precision within one-tenth of a gram and one-tenth of a millimeter. (From the archive)

64,753 просмотров

Meet the ultimate gatekeeper of the nucleus. This molecular machine determines what compounds are welcome inside and which shall not pass. The mechanism behind its selectivity remains a mystery.

Meet the ultimate gatekeeper of the nucleus. This molecular machine determines what compounds are welcome inside and which shall not pass. The mechanism behind its selectivity remains a mystery.

31,556 просмотров

Watch as this plant’s chloroplasts shift in response to bright light (which turns on at the 20-minute mark, indicated in the upper left). These organelles are solving a packing problem: how to optimize photosynthesis without sustaining damage from dangerously intense rays.

Watch as this plant’s chloroplasts shift in response to bright light (which turns on at the 20-minute mark, indicated in the upper left). These organelles are solving a packing problem: how to optimize photosynthesis without sustaining damage from dangerously intense rays.

45,253 просмотров

Once considered merely packing peanuts for the brain, new studies suggest that large brain cells called astrocytes supervise the circuits that control brain states like hopelessness, sleep, and hunger. Ingrid Wickelgren reports:

Once considered merely packing peanuts for the brain, new studies suggest that large brain cells called astrocytes supervise the circuits that control brain states like hopelessness, sleep, and hunger. Ingrid Wickelgren reports:

61,968 просмотров

Living tissues can withstand immense forces, but no organ is quite as lively or forceful as the heart. The zebra fish heart — which is about the size of a poppy seed — beats 150 times per minute. It expands nearly twice its size and then contracts with each rhythmic pulse.

Living tissues can withstand immense forces, but no organ is quite as lively or forceful as the heart. The zebra fish heart — which is about the size of a poppy seed — beats 150 times per minute. It expands nearly twice its size and then contracts with each rhythmic pulse.

54,302 просмотров

Meet the ultimate gatekeeper of the nucleus. This molecular machine determines what compounds are welcome inside and which shall not pass. The mechanism behind its selectivity remains a mystery.

Meet the ultimate gatekeeper of the nucleus. This molecular machine determines what compounds are welcome inside and which shall not pass. The mechanism behind its selectivity remains a mystery.

48,549 просмотров

Plants don’t have eyes or brains. How do they know where light is coming from? Seedlings “see” with their whole bodies.

Plants don’t have eyes or brains. How do they know where light is coming from? Seedlings “see” with their whole bodies.

27,513 просмотров

Columnist Natalie Wolchover spent the early weeks of the pandemic learning how the 25-year-old Austrian logician and mathematician Kurt Gödel established that no formal system of math can ever be complete. “Oh yeah, that time you almost went crazy?” was how her wife remembered it. Read the full column:

Columnist Natalie Wolchover spent the early weeks of the pandemic learning how the 25-year-old Austrian logician and mathematician Kurt Gödel established that no formal system of math can ever be complete. “Oh yeah, that time you almost went crazy?” was how her wife remembered it. Read the full column:

28,724 просмотров

According to the theoretical physicist and author Carlo Rovelli, there is no such thing as objective reality — only perspectives. In a conversation with Zack Savitsky and a new video on the Quanta YouTube channel, Rovelli shares his own perspective on time, gravity, philosophy, and the nature of our world.

According to the theoretical physicist and author Carlo Rovelli, there is no such thing as objective reality — only perspectives. In a conversation with Zack Savitsky and a new video on the Quanta YouTube channel, Rovelli shares his own perspective on time, gravity, philosophy, and the nature of our world.

65,860 просмотров

Recently, neuroscientists described a new form of neuroplasticity, which is caused by an electrical change that affects multiple neurons at once and unfolds across several seconds. Researchers suspect that it may help the brain learn in a single attempt.

Recently, neuroscientists described a new form of neuroplasticity, which is caused by an electrical change that affects multiple neurons at once and unfolds across several seconds. Researchers suspect that it may help the brain learn in a single attempt.

32,812 просмотров

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When photons hurtle toward a black hole, most are sucked into its depths, never to return, or gently deflected away. A few, however, skirt the hole, making a series of abrupt U-turns. Some theorists now say that this “light trap” hints at quantum gravity.

When photons hurtle toward a black hole, most are sucked into its depths, never to return, or gently deflected away. A few, however, skirt the hole, making a series of abrupt U-turns. Some theorists now say that this “light trap” hints at quantum gravity.

Quanta Magazine

340,779 просмотров • 3 лет назад

Watch as this plant’s chloroplasts shift in response to bright light (which turns on at the 20-minute mark, indicated in the upper left). These organelles are solving a packing problem: how to optimize photosynthesis without sustaining damage from dangerously intense rays.

Watch as this plant’s chloroplasts shift in response to bright light (which turns on at the 20-minute mark, indicated in the upper left). These organelles are solving a packing problem: how to optimize photosynthesis without sustaining damage from dangerously intense rays.

Quanta Magazine

45,253 просмотров • 3 месяцев назад

We often think of our genes as the script of our fate. But genes are not the whole story.

We often think of our genes as the script of our fate. But genes are not the whole story.

Quanta Magazine

50,466 просмотров • 7 месяцев назад

The state of oceans and ice sheets — and, in turn, the climate — in 2100 will depend heavily on where they are right now.

The state of oceans and ice sheets — and, in turn, the climate — in 2100 will depend heavily on where they are right now.

Quanta Magazine

14,073 просмотров • 2 месяцев назад

The process of multiplying any two matrices of a given size can be described by a single, unique, 3D tensor.

The process of multiplying any two matrices of a given size can be described by a single, unique, 3D tensor.

Quanta Magazine

78,816 просмотров • 2 лет назад

A vast construction project is underway to bridge disparate fields of mathematics. Learn about the incredible Langlands program in our video explainer:

A vast construction project is underway to bridge disparate fields of mathematics. Learn about the incredible Langlands program in our video explainer:

Quanta Magazine

14,387 просмотров • 5 месяцев назад

Bacteria glowing with green fluorescence move inside a fungal cell. In this video, the bacteria seem like an infection, but in successive generations, the two organisms will adapt to each other until they find endosymbiotic balance.

Bacteria glowing with green fluorescence move inside a fungal cell. In this video, the bacteria seem like an infection, but in successive generations, the two organisms will adapt to each other until they find endosymbiotic balance.

Quanta Magazine

18,609 просмотров • 8 месяцев назад

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